5 comments about Beatrix Potter Collectibles: The Peter Rabbit Story Characters.

1. Especially for those who are passionate about Beatrix Potter. Sewall and Dubay do an excellent job in showcasing items often overlooked in other price guides. This is not to imply this book is simly a price guide. It is much more - a true delight!



2. Charming book documents Beswick, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Wedgwood, Crummles, Eden Plush, Giants, Pull Toys, Musical Toys Hand Puppets, Beanie Babies, etc., Schmid Music Boxes, Anri, Border Fine Arts Figurines, Steiff, Tins, R. John Wright, etc. by author Debby DuBay, foreword by Potter expert Judy Taylor, highlighting Kara and John Sewall's private collection. Fabulous colored photographs with complete descriptions and a value under each. This price guide is easy to read and the only one I could find on general B. Potter collectibles. Highly recommend this lovely yet inexpensive book.



3. Collecting is wonderful and documenting a collection is an honor that Ms. Dubay has bestowed on her friends the Sewall's. There are many books on the market that go into Ms. Potter's life like expert Judy Taylor who wrote the foreword for this book! As a novice collector, of many porcelain pieces, this is the first book I could find that has the values and is actually a useful price guide for the diverse Potter collector. I highly recommend.



4. This charming book opens with Debby DuBay chatting away on how she met the Miss Potter and collector of today - Kara Sewall. I love this book and highly recommend it to all collectors, Peter Rabbit and Potter fans. Thanks to Debby DuBay for another charming book; she has a unique way of inviting us into her life and the lives of her friends and then getting us addicted to whatever the subject is that she is documenting. I am now a Limoges and Potter collector.



5. I have collected Beatrix Potter for many years and finally a price guide is available on many of the pieces I have collected. I highly recommend this book to collectors of Beatrix Potter memorabilia from Wedgwood, Crummles, Schmid Music Boxes, etc., from the 1970s to today. LOVE this price guide!

3 comments about Chipmunks.

1. When they are babies, the first thing to know is this:
   When you are feeding them milk and they look like they are choaking or you see bubbles coming from the little nose, hang them upside down so the milk can run out of the lungs. My babies lived about 6 months. They eventually died one by one but they were a joy. The mother left then in the hood of my car and I was forced to try and save them. They were very sweet pets. The book was a big help. They love grapes but cut the grapes in half. Good luck.



2. We love wild animals, especially chipmunks and squrrils. This book is wonderful to look at and our whole family loves it. I highly reccomend it for nature lovers of all ages, but primairly school aged children.



3. Actually, I was kind of disappointed when I got the book because its geared toward caring for Chipmunks as pets. I was looking for something that focused on them in their natural habitat. However, it is helpful as it gives plenty of info on the cheeky critters, so we can still use it to cater our backyard feeding program. Lots of color photos and good basic text. I would recommend it as it is useful to our purposes, however, I just would have liked something more specific to chipmunks in their natural habitat.

5 comments about Ferrets (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. all ferret owner should have this book. very pictorial. has a lot of the same information as other ferret books



2. This book provides the reader a great overview of ferret care, health, diet, and many other topics such as the food they eat and the type of cages they should have. The only thing I did not like about the book is on page 31 quoting, "If your ferret plays too roughlt, a sound thump on the nose with your forefinger, accompanied by a sharp "No", will soon advise your ferret that this is not acceptable behavior". I have to disagree! Out of all ferret reading I have done, books, magazines, and Internet researching, I always read that nose thumping is not appropriate to teach a ferret of his/her errors. This is only book that suggests that it is okay. Otherwise all the other topics are great and make sense. Despite the disagreement, I give 4 stars for great overall well rounded book.



3. Owning a ferret is a little like owning a child - they require your full attention and a great deal of time, especially when they're young. When we bought our first ferret, Tycho, my wife and I had already done a little research and so we had some idea of what to expect. We should have done more, however. They're a handful, but ultimately worth it, because most ferrets are not only cute and cuddly, but smarter than most dogs and like cats, genuinely curious in most things in their environment. Before bringing your little carpet shark home it is important to know what you're getting into. Prospective ferret owners should do plenty of research before taking the plunge and buying one or more of the little cuties.

   E. Lynn Morton's book presents an easy to read yet detailed fact book about fuzzies, basics like nutrition- ferrets are carnivores and cannot handle a vegetarian diet, and even explains proteins and how they can differ depending on the source. Discipline and how it should be done- and I have found that most books recommend the same basic techniques, none of which require hitting your ferret or even flicking its nose. And it was thanks to this book it explained seasonal weight loss and gains, something that had us very worried when Tycho shed a half pound in just a short while. It also talks about diseases common to ferrets and detail about their biology.

   It has plenty of pictures of fuzzies, cages, toys, bedding, and what is and is not acceptable for ferrets to live in, sleep in and play with. More importantly it asks the reader to think about the time they will have to spend after getting their carpet shark- they require more care than either kittens or puppies at first and when they're out of their cages, require constant supervision. Tycho is joy to own, but it hasn't been all roses. He bit a lot and got into things he shouldn't have, but at six months of age we own a very loving and happy ferret who plays with us and new kitten pal, Fenix. Thanks to books like this and the others my wife and I have read, we're a little smarter for the experience and have a great new pet.




4. I recently became co-owner of a baby ferret, Tycho--after the astronomer. Just lately Tycho has exhibited a rather alarming weight drop. Morton's book suggested itself as a useful resource for the nervous ferret "parent," and indeed it has been. In reading the section on weight cycles, we learned that the ferret tends to gain and loose weight according to the seasons and light intensity. What a relief! The little guy has been a dear and amusing pet, full of bouncing, peppy mischief, and we'd hate to loose him. It's nice to know we'll be better able to care for the newest member of our household with this new book.



5. I read this book and I thought it was great. This book was so good I bought all of my relitives that have Ferrets this book. So I highly recomed this book to any ferret lovers.

1 comments about Getting to Know Your Chinchilla (Getting to Know Your...).

1. This is a good simple introduction book about chinchillas and their needs; simple & easy enough for older children & adults. I think it is necessary to follow thru with a more detailed book if a person is considering getting a chinchilla or need to care for a chinchilla, but this book will give you the basics to decide if you want one. I keep my copy near my chinchilla in case I'm not around and someone wants to know a little about my Lullaby.

2 comments about Hamsterlopaedia: A Complete Guide to Hamster Care.

1. This book is very detailed and up to date regarding hamster care ranging from basic care and health concerns to breeding and showing hamsters. Because the book is detailed it may not be reader friendly for younger children who own hamsters than other hamster starter care books on the market featuring simpler formats. It has some very nice color illustration sections outlining different varieties of hamsters. I think it should definitely be in a hamster owners library for reference.



2. I've had a number of hamsters over the past several years, and have looked through a good many hamster books to find various information about caring for them. Unfortunately, a lot of the ones at the pet stores are often out of date and can even include misinformation. However, Hamsterlopaedia is neither of those things, and though it took a bit to find it, I'm glad I did. This is an amazingly detailed book that not only covers the basics, like how to house and feed your hamsters, but it even goes into hamster biology and the most common health problems to watch out for. It also provides information on breeding hamsters, including caring for a mother and her new babies, and not only includes information on Syrian hamsters but dwarf hamsters as well. Most of the book is text, but there are a good number of photo pages as well, especially to illustrate the various colors and types of hamsters. Whether you've just gotten your first hamster or you've been caring for them for years, this book has plenty to offer. I would highly recommend this book and I really appreciate the authors' work in writing it.

2 comments about Rats.

1. This book is more from a scientific point of view. I found it very interesting to read about the differences and similiarties between wild and pet rats. It also has a good chapter on food and what to feed them and why, which I found helpful and important. While this is not a book for a small child, it is good for those who are interested in not only the care and feeding for rats but also the scientific points about rats.



2. Not a great book, but perfect for someone who's just starting out with pet rats. It covers all the basic stuff: caging, how to choose your rats, etc. but thats about it, and it has hardly any information on handling and socializing rats, or much on their health. I wouldn't pass this book up, but you should also consider a more detailed book if you really want the best for your pet rats.

5 comments about Rats!: For Today's Pet Owner from the Publishers of Critters USA Magazine (Fun & Care).

1. My grandson loves his new pet rat, Roxanne. Unfortunately, his previously also-loved rat passed into pet heaven at less than a year old. I couldn't tell him much about proper nutrition or care, or how long they may live, so I want him to be better prepared this time. Roxanne will probably also give me a kiss for this. This book is brightly illustrated, with good instructions.



2. This is the most complete and accurate guide to caring for pets rats that I have ever read. It is a terrible shame that it has been allowed to go out of print. It is an indispensible reference for new and experienced rat owners. Nutrition, training, history, health...it's all here, along with some really cute photos.



3. This is just about the best rat book I have ever seen! I really think it deserves 6 stars, but that wasn't an option. :-) It is a exelent beginner's book, but even the most experienced rat owner can learn somthing from it. I only dissagree with Mrs. Ducommun on one point- she says to use 1x1 1/2 inch mesh for a cage. This is too big- a rat could get it's head stuck! Other then that, everything you need to know about rats is in here. The book also gives good information about breeding and showing your rats. A must-read! <:8 )~



4. I concur with the other reviews in this space. It really is an excellent guide, and the author's website...is also quite helpful. I am truly impressed by the detail of this book, which still maintains an easy reading level (so it's suitable for kids in the 9-12 range right on up to grownups) and an attractive layout. In addition, the author states that she is willing to help *you* with any rat questions or problems and gives her contact information, including phone number! That's dedication!

   Some day, I hope to get hold of a copy of her Rat Health Care booklet, but for now this book remains my ratty Bible.




5. I just wanted to concur with everything that other reviewers have written. This is a superb little book with beautiful pictures of cuddly rats. The only flaw in it I could think of is that it doesn't mention my favorite rat treat (matzoh).

2 comments about Care of the Domestic Rabbit.

1. Care of The Domestic Rabbit was a good book as it gave me valuable information on how to care for my bunny. My local vet had heard of Doctor Hayhow and recommended I call him when I saw this book I had to get it. Overall a good book. It is not like those cookie cutter animal books in petco.
   
   Paula



2. If you want info on how to care for your pet rabbit, don't even bother with this book. It's strictly written for breeders, and the medical information is very, very out of date. The pictures are all straight from the American Rabbit Breeders Association poster. This books presumes that you treat rabbits like saleable commodities, rather than as living creatures.

5 comments about The Hamster Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks).

1. This is a great book full of useful information including hamster health facts, care and photos. A good addition to any animal library.



2. I care for 10 Roborovsky dwarf hamsters, the world's smallest and fastest hamsters. So naturally I look for information that will help me care for this specific species of hamster. Although much of the information in this book is good, there is some info in here that is just plain wrong. For instance, it lists the Roborovsky as a "large" hamster reaching 4 inches in length, when it is actually the world's smallest hamster, reaching a maximum of 4-5 CENTIMETERS (2 inches). So I have to rate this book as just OK, since it contains some erroneous information. I also rate it lower because the author makes few distinctions between large/standard and dwarf hamster care. But there are key differences that should be noted in any hamster care guide. For example, dwarf hamsters, especially Campbell's, are prone to contract diabetes. So any source of sugar, including fresh fruit, should be very limited or avoided entirely. But the book makes no mention of this, showing the same list of recommended foods for all types of hamsters. Therefore, I would not recommend this book as a good guide for dwarf hamster care (or use it only as a supplemental guide to something better written by a vet, like "Dwarf Hamsters" by Sharon Vanderlip DVM). Since I have no experience with standard hamsters, I would use other people's reviews as a guide for how well this book covers care of standard hamsters.



3. This is by far the best book if you are looking to buy a hamster. My parents made me read it before I could get a hamster and I learned soo much. Not to mention there are adorible pictures on every page! You will learn more about hamsters with this book than with an other book and the internet combined!



4. I had pet hamsters as a child, but now that I'm an adult, I've fallen in love with them all over again. "The Hamster Handbook" is an excellent all-around guide to the history, physiology, and care of hamsters. I appreciated the many anecdotes about the author's personal experience with hamsters that can be found throughout the book. I also enjoyed reading about the hamster's humble beginnings and how it made its way to becoming a popular pet. And the chapter on feeding hamsters has been incredibly helpful...I hadn't realized that there were so many different things hamsters eat (they are omnivores, like humans). If you think hamsters are just a disposable pet for kids, you are very wrong. Pick up "The Hamster Handbook" and learn about the amazing and wonderful little creature that is the hamster.



5. I was so lucky to come across this book! It's deceptively small and thin because in fact, it is chock full of information on every single subject pertaining to hamsters! It takes the basic tenets of any hamster care guide and expands on it tremendously. You get a FULL history of hamsters, a FULL guide to nutrition and health, exercise, hamster language, breeding . . . it even has information on showing your hamster and on hamster clubs and organizations. This book has absolutely everything you will need to know! You are mistaken if you think you can get through it in one sitting!

   A very attractive factor also, is that the author has had tons of experience with making lots of tools/habitats/toys/wheels/breeding shelves herself, and gives you all the information you need to make your own! She does not endorse any product or suggest you buy certain things the way other books do - she will tell you what your hamster needs, and more often than not, she will tell you how to make them! For example, you can make a hamster litterbox out of a juice box (instead of buying an expensive one like I did).

   MOST IMPORTANTLY - it is very evident that the author LOVES hamsters. She writes with affection, care and passion. It was as though the book was written out of love! She talks fondly and sweetly of her own hamsters (she owns and breeds over 70 with her husband) and really makes you feel "okay" for being hopelessly in love with your own hamster :).

   Oh, and, it's got the most adorable, beautiful hamster photographs you've ever seen.

   Buy this book, and you will never need another, or if you insist on buying more than one, this is a *must* for your collection!

1 comments about Care of Uncommon Pets: Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, Gerbils, Chickens, Ducks, Frogs, Toads and Salamanders, Turtles and Tortoises, Sn.

1. This book contains 222 pages of information on caring for Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Chickens, Snakes, Lizards, Gerbils, Mice, Rats, Turtles, Frogs, Toads, Ducks, Budgerigars and Tortoises. All of the information is accurate. There is a bibliography at the end of each section, as well as a glossary and a section with step-by-step instructions on making a cage. Highly recommended.